Chancellor Masrour Barzani received today U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman to discuss recent important developments. On Erbil-Baghdad political disputes, Chancellor Barzani welcomed Ambassador’s Silliman support for a strong, united Kurdistan Region in line with the Iraqi Constitution and the recent U.S. decision to pay integrated Peshmerga units. Ambassador Silliman briefed Chancellor Barzani on U.S. efforts to include KRG representatives in the upcoming international reconstruction conference in Kuwait. They agreed that confidence-building measures between Erbil and Baghdad — and political and military coordination — would help advance a broader framework and stabilization efforts by both governments. Chancellor Barzani said that in a bid to settle differences the Kurdistan Region has implemented its obligations under the Iraqi Constitution and expects Baghdad to come forward. He expressed concerns about the impact of an election climate on reaching an agreement. Both officials agreed to intensify efforts and work together to strengthen KRG’s institutions.

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The Kurdistan Region Security Council oversees the intelligence and security community in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and, as of August 2014, coordinates Global Coalition airstrikes against ISIL positions. Its elite CTU forces from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) conduct joint operations with coalition forces in a campaign targeting senior ISIL members.